Items

• Somme, 1915
  This is a card with an insert woven in silk and framed as a postcard. The scene is from the Somme, 1915.
• Berry au Bac
  This is a card with an insert woven in silk and framed as a postcard. The scene is the devastated church at Berry au Bac.
• Basilica in Albert, 1914
  This is a card with an insert woven in silk and framed as a postcard. The scene is the basilica in Albert (1914) with the virgin holding the Christ child at the top of the steeple. The soldiers said that when it finally fell the war would end. Of course, taking shots at the statue was an interesting pastime for the fighting men. Other accounts said that it was purposefully pulled over so that it did not give the Germans a target with which to calibrate their big guns. Paul Fussell gives a full account of the “Golden Virgin” in The Great War and Modern Memory (131-35).
• Clermont, Argonne
  This is a card with an insert woven in silk and framed as a postcard. The scene is from Clermont in the Argonne, 1915.
• Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
  This is a typical card issued to raise the spirits of the fighting men. On the front it says these are the "Loyal Lancs. Regiment cheering when ordered to the trenches." It is identified as an "Official Photograph. Crown Copyright Reserved." On the back it says in the corner of the card "Passed by Censor"; it is an Official War Photograph, Series IX, No. 67. "This inspiring picture shows men of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment cheering gaily when ordered to take turn in the trenches," it says. Censorship was strictly enforced under the terms of the Defense of the Realm Act and the card is really propaganda for the homefront.
• Destroyer bombed at Bruges
  The back of the card says this is a German destroyer bombed by the British at Bruges.
• Glee Club
  This real photograph card has a message on the back identifying this particular group of young men: "Give this card to Mother. It is the glee club of 130 company and the ball team. G. K."
• American Troops on Parade in Paris on July 4, 1918.
  This card was distributed to the U. S. soldiers by the American Red Cross.
• Photo of American Servicemen
  A real photo postcard of a group of American servicemen. One of the group has listed the men in the photograph: Sgt. Henry Stamm, Detroit, Michigan; Sgt. Fred Joyce, Gladstone, Michigan; Cpl. Oscar Wiggers, Evansville, Indiana; Pvt. Glenn Faught; Pvt. Gordon Collins, Rawson, North Dakota; Sgt. Henry Brown, Le Grande, Michigan; Pvt. Adolph Attwater, Walnut Hills Farm, Illinois; and Sgt. Troy Bradler, Phoenix, Arizona.
• Class at the Naval Hospital School, Newport, RI
  This is a real photo postcard of a class at the naval hospital school in New Port, Rhode Island. On the back of the card are these remarks by one of the students: "A class during a lecture period. The men in the rear are #1 instructor in chemistry and bacteriology #2 drill and first aid and minor surgery instructor. These two are the best instructors in the school."
• The Red, White and Blue for International Liberty
  The Red, White and Blue for International Liberty with the flags of France, the United States, and Great Britain. The card was published in 1917.
• To make the World Save for Democracy
  The flags flanking the U. S. flag and eagles are, from left to right, Liberia, Roumania, Montenegro, Serbia, Brazil, Greece, Russia, Great Britain, France, Italy, Belgium, Japan, Cuba, Siam, Portugal, and San Marino.
• The "Fighting Fifth"
  This black and white photograph shows soldiers cheering. At bottom: The "Fighting Fifth" (Northumberland Fusiliers) after the battle of St. Eloi. In small script at the top: Official Photograph Crown Copyright Reserved, and at bottom, Daily Mail War Pictures. On reverse: Assisted by the Royal Fusiliers, the "Fighting Fifth" (Northumberland Fusiliers) took with splendid dash the first and second line trenches at St. Eloi. At left on reverse: Official War Photographs/Crown Copryright Reserved/Series 6. No. 46.
• Völlig zerstörter feindlicher Schützengraben b. Souville vor Verdun
  This black and white photograph shows a destroyed trench. On reverse: Nr. 368. N. Engel, Photogr. Kunstantalt, Diedenhofen
• Out for Victory
  Four men in a boat, with a sinking ship in the distance and a submarine moving away. One man stands, his arm in a sling, and shakes his fist. At lower left of drawing: L Raven Hill. At bottom the caption: The Merchant Seaman. Going home to sign on again. On reverse: No. 509.
• Out for Victory
  A man in a field, with a spading fork, and potatoes on the ground. At lower right of drawing: L Raven Hill. At bottom the caption: The Allotment Holder. Too old to fight, but doing his bit to beat the U boats. On reverse: No. 513.
• Out for Victory
  A soldier in a gray uniform with rifle on his shoulder and hand upraised. At lower right of drawing: L Raven Hill. At bottom the caption: The Poilu. Whose motto is, "They shall not pass!" On reverse: No. 504.
• Out for Victory
  A sailor holds red and yellow signal flags. At lower right of drawing: L Raven Hill. At bottom the caption: Jack Signals To Us, "Carry On." On reverse: No. 508.
• Out for Victory
  A man dressed in yellow slicker and pants stands at the wheel of a ship. At lower left of drawing: L Raven Hill. At bottom the caption: The Minesweeper. All's Fish that comes to his net! On reverse: No. 510.
• Out for Victory
  At a Post Office an older man hands the clerk payment for a war savings certificate. At lower left of drawing: L Raven Hill. At bottom the caption: British Working Man: "Give us another fifteen-an'-sixer, miss, to take home to the old girl." On reverse: No. 515.
• Souvenir De L'Armistice: Emplacement du Wagon des Plénipotentiaires Allemandes
  This postcard is the tenth in a set of ten miniature postcards from Paris labeled "Souvenir De L'Armistice". It is a black and white photo of railroad tracks with a large stone marker in between them. In the bottom right corner of the picture is a "10". On the outside of the enclosing envelope is "10. -- Emplacement du Wagon des Plénipotentiaires Allemands." On reverse: blank.
• Souvenir De L'Armistice: Emplacement du Wagon du Maréchal Foch
  This postcard is the ninth in a set of ten miniature postcards from Paris labeled "Souvenir De L'Armistice". It is a black and white photo of railroad tracks. In between the tracks is a stone with "Maréchal Foch" engraved on it. In the bottom right corner of the picture is a "9". On the outside of the enclosing envelope is "9. -- Emplacement du Wagon du Maréchal Foch." On reverse: blank.
• Souvenir De L'Armistice: La Dalle commémorative
  This postcard is the eighth in a set of ten miniature postcards from Paris labeled "Souvenir De L'Armistice". It is a black and white photo of a commemorative flagstone. In the bottom right corner of the picture is a "8". On the outside of the enclosing envelope is "8. -- La Dalle commémorative." On reverse: blank.
• Souvenir De L'Armistice: le Monument du "Matin"
  This postcard is the seventh in a set of ten miniature postcards from Paris labeled "Souvenir De L'Armistice". It is a black and white photo of a large stone monument. In the bottom right corner of the picture is a "7". On the outside of the enclosing envelope is "7. -- Le Monument du «Matin»." On reverse: blank.
• Souvenir De L'Armistice: Le Carrefour
  This postcard is the sixth in a set of ten miniature postcards from Paris labeled "Souvenir De L'Armistice". It is a black and white photo of pathways surrounded by trees. In the bottom right corner of the picture is a "6". On the outside of the enclosing envelope is "6. -- Le Carrefour." On reverse: blank.